Staple stitching machine



Sept. 25, 1951 o. M. TUBBS STAPLE STITCHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Sept. 17, 1949 Sept. 25, 1951 O. M. TUBBS Filed Sept. 17, 1949STAPLE STITCHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 25, 1951 O. M. TUB BS2,569,355

STAPLE STITCI-IING MACHINE Filed Sept. 17, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 l I ISTITCHH? 50! E NOID IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 25, 1951 I STAPLE STITCHIN G MACHINE Orville M. Tubbs,Chicago, 111., assignor to Inland Wire Products Company, Chicago, 111.,a corporation of Illinois Application September 17, 1949, Serial No.116302 4 Claims. (01. 1- 2) My invention relates to an improvedmechanism to secure a wrapping, such as a cardboard sheet, snugly abouta bundle of sheets of roofing or. like flexible material. I

. It is desirable .to encase bundles of roofing 1n snug cardboardwrappings for shipment and storage. However, to maintain the roofingsheets in thebundle, it is necessary to secure the wrappin snugly inplace. In accordance with the present invention, the cardboard wrappingfor the roofing bundle is stitched or stapled in position by a pluralityof spaced staples while the roofing is in a cupped or bent condition.When the bundle 1s subsequently released, the roofing resumes the flatcondition and the wrapper is drawn taut across the bundle. The result isa snug bundle of roofing that may be easily handled and exhibits notendency to fall apart.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide animproved mechanism to secure a wrapper about a bundle of roofing.

'AJfurther object of the present invention is to provide a mechanismautomatically operable to secure a wrapper about a bundle of roofing bymeans of a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced stitches.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automaticmechanism to cup a bundle of roofing so that the wrapping may bestitched in position to assume a taut condition when released.

'Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmechanism to stitch an object in uniformly Spaced" stitches.

Further it is an object of the present invention to-provide a completeapparatus operative to accept bundles of newly manufactured roofing andsecure a Wrapping snugly on them, all automatically.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My inventionitself, however, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. inwhich:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a mechanism constructed in accordancewith the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along axis 2-2, Figure 1; I

Figure 3 .is a cross-sectional view along axis 3-4:, Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the drive mechanismfor the apparatus OfFigure 13 Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view throughthe axis 5-5, Figure 4 Figure 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of theapparatus of Figurev 1.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown generally at [0 thecarrier or track defining mechanism that conveys the bundles ofroofingin end, pulley I8 is attached to the sprocket 20 which a isdriven by the chain 22. Chain 22 is driven in intermittent motion bymeans described in further detail hereafter to impart to the belt l2thedesired intermittent movements.

A bundle. of roofing is shown generally at R, Figures 1 to 3. .InFigures 1 and 2, thebundle is shown approaching the stitching machine 24and in Figure 3, the bundle is shown being stitched. As seen inthefigures, the bundle of roofing is made up of a plurality of sheets ofroofing material 26 and a cardboardwrapper or casing 28 thatencircles-the bundle. The casing has flaps 28a and 28b-that are foldedover each other and stitched together to define a sleevesnuglysurrounding-the bundle. I

In accordance with the present invention, the central rollers I 4aareprovided with portions of increased diameter at points spaced from theircentral portions. This is bestseenin Figure 3, where the portions ofincreased diameter are indicated at I5.- These portions may, forexample. comprise rings of. metal or-other suitablematerial slipped overthe rollers and secured at the desired positions by. friction or othersuitable means.

As shown in Figure 3, the enlarged portions of the rollers I 4a definedby the rings [5 support the side portions of the belt l2 at higherlevels than the center thereof. The belt is thus cupped and the roofingthereon assumes the mating cupshaped condition shown in the figure.

If desired, the rollers Ma may be tapered to provide a reduced diameterat their center portions to provide the desired cupping of the belt l2.-

It-is a characteristic of asphalt type roofing material that itisreadily bent immediately after manufacture and conforms quickly to theshape of an irregular support surface. Consequently, as bundles offreshly made roofing are placed on the right hand end of the belt l2,they quickly collapse at the center to conform to the our shapedconfiguration of the belt [2.

The bundle of roofing is further urged to the cupped condition shown inFigure 3 by the fences defined by rollers 30. These rollers are carriedby the spaced rails 32 which are in turn carried by the cross plates 34.The latter plates are each pivotally attached to corresponding supportarms 36. As shown in Figure 3, a pair of stop screws: 38 and 38a arethreadedly received in the support arms 36 and bottom against thecorresponding cross plate 34 to secure the rollers 30 in adjustablepositions of tilt. V

The adjustable tilt provided by the screws 38 and 38a permitsaccommodation of the mechanism to different kinds of bundles. It alsoavoids the need for predicting in advance the exact tilt required.

The support arms 36 are each carried by a corresponding support bracket40 depending from the side rail I6. Each support bracket has anextending arm 4| with a pin 4la which receives the arm 36 for rockablysupporting the arm. A sleeve also extends from the depending brackets 40and on its outer end defines a cup portion 42a in. which the end of thearm 36- loosely fits. A spring 42!) bottoms against the adjusting screw42c and the end of arm 36 to bias the arm 36 in direction to cause therollers 30 to come together.

The rollers 36 define a fence conforming to the shape of the sides ofthe bundle R as the bundle cums on the rollers Ma. This is shown inFigure 3. These rollers thereby aid the rollers 14a and assure that theroofing cups as desired.

The rollers 311a define a fence similar to that defined by rollers 30and are supported in the same manner. However, the pressure on rollers36a (exerted by springs 42b) is less than the pressure on rollers 30 topermit the bundle of roofing to flatten out as it approaches the end ofthe machine.

Intermittent motion is imparted to the chain 22 by the mechanism showngenerally in Figure 2 and in greater detail in Figures 4 and 5. Asshown, the chain 22 is driven from sprocket 44 carried by shaft 46. Thisshaft is driven from the shaft 48 by the intermittent drive mechanismdefined by the cam plate 50 and the roller drive plate 52. The rollerdrive plate 52 is driven at uniform angular velocity by the motor 54through belt 56, speed reducer 58, and chain 60.

, As shown in Figure 5, the cam plate 56 has. four radial grooves 56a saced 90 degrees relative to each other. Wheel 52 has four rollers 52aspaced 90 degrees relative to each other .near its outer periphery. Therollers 52a are positioned to ride in the grooves 56a so that as theshaft 48 is rotated the rollers 52a successively ride into the grooves50a. Since the angular velocity of the rollers 52a relative to the shaft46 varies fromzero in the position shown in Figure to a maximum valuewhen shaft 48 has rotated 45 degrees, the cam plate 50 is driven inintermittent quarter turn rotations when the shaft 48 is driven atuniform angular velocity.

In accordance with the present invention, the stitcher 24 is actuated inunison with the dwells orpauses in the intermittent motion of thebelt[2. ,This stitcher may be any one of several types and includes asolenoid 60, Figure 6, which, when energized, actuates the stitcher todrive a staple through any material in the anvil shown generally at 62,Figure 3. This solenoid is energizedfroni source of, electromotive force62 by a series of three switches 64, 66, and 68, Figure 6.

The switch 64 is a normally opened switch that is successively closed inunison with the dwell periods of the belt l2. This is accomplished bythe cam actuating mechanism shown in Figure 5. As shown, a rocker arm 16is rockably supported from the switch 64 and operates when rocked towardthe switch to depress the actuating pin 64a to close switch 64. The camdisk 12is mounted on the shaft 48 and has four lugs 12a, each adapted toengage the arm 70 and rock that arm to depress pin 64a and close switch64.

The lugs 12a are spaced at degree inter vals about the disk 12 and areoriented relative to the shaft 48 so that they close the switch 64 whena roller 52a is about to ride into a groove 56a. Since this is theperiod of dwell of the shaft 46 and the belt l2, the switch 64 isactuated in unison with the period of dwell of the belt and the roofingbundles it carries.

The switches 66 and 68 are mounted at spaced positions along the carrierID as shown in Figure 2. These switches are of the normally open typeand carry actuating pins 66a and 68a, respectively. These engage theside of the bundle of roofing and are depressed thereby to close theswitches.

Cam guide arms 14 and 16 are provided to fold the flaps 28a and 28b ofthe wrapper 28 and to guide them into the anvil 62 as shown in Figure 3.

When a bundle of roofing and the encircling wrapper are placed on theright hand end of the.

mechanism of Figure 1, the belt l2 carries it forward in intermittentmovements. During each pause or dwell, the switch 64 is closed but thestitcher 24 is not energized because of the open condition of switches66 and 68.

When the bundle reaches the switch 68, it closes that switch but thestitcher still remains unenergized because switch 66 remains open.How--. ever, when the switch 66 is reached and closed:

and the bundle of roofing the stitcher 24 places.

a series of uniformly spaced stitches or staples on the wrapper 28 tosecure flaps 28a and 28b together. One stitch occurs for each forwardmovement of the belt and the spacing of the stitches is determined bythe throw of the belt on each movement.

When the bundle of roofing passes the switch 68; the arm 68a is releasedand the switch is restored to the unactuated or opened condition. Atthis time the circuit of Figure 6 is opened and further actuations ofthe switch 64 do not energize the stitcher 24.

The spacing between switches 66 and 68 determines the distance betweenthe front and rear edges of the bundle of'roofing and the first and laststitch or staple, respectively.

Since the wrapper 28 is stapled snugly about the actual bundle ofroofing, the desired snug' understood that many variations andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scopethereof. I therefore intend by the appended claims to cover allmodifications and alternative constructions coming within the truespirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. In a stitcher to secure a Wrapping about a bundle of shingles or likeflexible material, the improvement comprising means defining a cuppedcarrier adapted to receive said bundles, means definin sloping fences oneach side of the carrier and conforming to the side configuration of thebundles as they travel on said carrier, means operative to move thebundles intermittently along the carrier, and stitching elements fixedlysupported relative to the carrier operative to stitch the bundles alonglines substantially parallel to the sides of said carrier as they pausebetween successive movements.

2. In a stitcher to secure a wrapping about bundles of roofing or likeflexible material, the improvment comprising a carrier having a cuppedbottom configuration adapted to move the bundles intermittently along apredetermined path, fixedly supported elements operative to stitch thewrapping along lines substantially parallel to the sides of said carrieras the bundle passes a predetermined point in the path, spaced switchelements adjacent said point and operative to engage the bundle and beactuated as the bundle passes by, switch elements actuated in unisonwith the pauses of the bundle, and means operative to energize thestitcher when said switches are simultaneously actuated.

3. In a stitcher to secure a wrapping about bundles of roofing or likeflexible material, the improvement comprising a cupped carrier for thebundles having movable elements operative to impart motion to thebundles along a predetermined path, a drive shaft, means operable tomove said elements intermittently as said shaft rotates continuously, aswitch operatively associated with the shaft to assume the actuatedposition when the shaft is in the position of dwell of the carrier,spaced switches operative to engage the bundle at fixed points along thepath of travel and be actuated thereby, a stitcher adapted to stitch thewrapping along lines parallel to the said path of travel as the bundletravels along the path and is adjacent the positions of said lastswitches, and means operative to energize the stitcher when all of saidswitch elements are actuated simultaneously.

4. In a stitcher to secure a wrapping about a bundle of roofing or likeflexible material, the improvement comprising means defining a cuppedcarrier adapted to receive said bundles, means definin sloping fences oneach side of the carrier and conforming to the side configuration of thebundles as they seat on the bottom of said carrier, yieldable elementsurging the fences together to hold the bundles against said bottom,means operative to move the bundles intermittently, and stitchingelements fixedly supported relative to the carrier operative to stitchthe bundles along lines substantially parallel to the sides of saidcarrier as they pause between successive movements.

ORVILLE M. TUBBS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,770,349 Bliss July 8, 19301,846,945 Bliss et a1 Feb. 23, 1932 1,924,807 Sayers Aug. 29, 19332,239,687 Parker Aug. 29, 1941 2,264,776 Spiller Dec. 2, 1941 2,489,207Tubbs Nov. 22, 1949

